The DuPage County Board on Nov. 25 adopted a formal censure of County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek after a contentious debate over the clerk's handling of office finances and procurement. Member Kevin Cahill introduced the resolution, saying the clerk "has violated that trust" by refusing to comply with established accounting systems and state competitive-bid rules and by obstructing oversight.

The motion (CBR0082-25) sets out a series of "whereas" findings read into the record by Member Cahill, including claims that the county auditor did not receive essential documentation from the clerk's office, that vendors were delayed in payment, and that the state's attorney initiated litigation that the resolution said has produced "nearly $200,000" in legal fees borne by taxpayers. Cahill moved the censure and it was seconded; the board conducted a roll call vote and the chair announced the final tally: 15 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention. Vice Chair Childress had stated publicly earlier that he would abstain to respect ongoing legal process.

Members speaking in favor described repeated refusals to meet with finance staff, alleged violations of county fiscal procedures, and the fiscal strain of legal actions. Member Glassie cited an amount in the low six figures for legal fees attributable to the dispute and urged the board to send a public message about accountability. Member Zay and others framed the measure as a last-resort accountability step after multiple attempts at cooperation.

Opponents called the censure political theater and urged the board to await the results of litigation. Member Desart said county officials had already involved the courts and argued that the board should not pre-judge matters the judiciary or the state's attorney are considering. Several speakers noted that county clerks in large counties do not always attend every board meeting and that staffing and managerial decisions are within the clerk's office purview.

The resolution as read references Illinois statutory authority concerning county officers and auditing oversight (as recited during the meeting: citations to sections read aloud from the Illinois Compiled Statutes).